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Off the Beach: COVID-19 Update #2

This week, we hear from Pro beach athletes Katie Spieler, Miles Evans, and Allie Wheeler.

How are you maintaining your fitness during quarantine?

Katie:I am working out and conditioning every day. If you can get creative there are a lot of ways to stay fit and find ways to progress your game and fitness.

Miles: I have access to a small gym and I still work out 4 times a week. I’m also surfing to stay active and going on many hikes during this quarantine. I’ve gone on many bike rides during sunset and will run sprints up Manhattan beach’s San dune for cardio work.

Allie:During this time, I have been getting very creative with my workouts and using all that is accessible to me. I’ve been able to weight lift with the weights at my house, been doing hill sprints, doing volleyball drills outside my house, and have been into cycling recently! It’s been nice to mix up my workouts and see what fun ways I can find to stay active!

Any fun "stay at home" ball control drills you've mastered?

Katie:Yes! Tons of one arm, handset, and other ball control drills. Having fun making up new stuff!

Miles:I own the indo-board and I try to balance while playing with a volleyball in a bunch of different scenarios. I have a reactionary ball that you throw against the wall and actively try to catch it while it can bounce in any direction.

Allie:Yes! I’ve been trying them all! I have been working on my balance and strength during quarantine and have been using a Bosu ball to help with it. Right now, I’ve been going outside and setting off the basketball backboard while balancing one foot on the Bosu ball! Super challenging, but definitely give it a try!

How has your daily routine changed? What have been some challenges?

Katie:A big challenge has been staying in touch with the athletes I coach, but it has forced me to get creative and I'm loving putting together practice plans for them to do at home and doing Zoom sessions to walk them through drills and technique. Other than that, I've found ways to work out and practice my craft every day, it may look different but I am still seeing progress and that's what I love in my daily routine!

Miles:My daily routine has changed in the sense that I used to play beach volleyball 5 times a week and now I’m forced to find other ways to continue to play. I’ve been playing no jump volleyball with my roommates where it’s the same volleyball game but we can’t jump. Makes rallies last longer and works on your ball control.

Allie:There have been so many big changes since COVID-19, but the biggest change for me has been not being able to practice with others. It’s been tough and challenging to find new ways to stay in shape, but I really enjoy the challenge and love getting creative! I have also been able to take this time and spend it with my family, which has been really amazing and is such a blessing!

Now that all training is off the beach, is there anything new you've implemented during "stay at home" to improve your game?

Katie:I've been picking player's brains and emailing/calling some of my all-time idols/mentors to see what they have done to improve upon their game or specific skills set that I'm working on.

Miles:I’ve been watching a lot more volleyball matches and will analyze them to see what a player did and why in that moment. I will have zoom meetings with my coach and go over what I saw vs what he saw in certain situations.

Allie:I have been watching some old film from some matches, but the biggest thing that I always work on off the court is my mental game. Whether it is with goal-setting, finding new ways to use visualization exercises, or just journaling, I am always looking for ways to improve myself as an athlete and human!

What inspires you?

Katie:I'm inspired daily by how lucky I am to play this sport and how much I have to work on! Also watching film of my favorite players fires me up. I love dancing to fun music, some of my favorites are Fleetwood Mac, Phantogram, Earth Wind & Fire, and Macklemore - a wide variety!

Miles:Being at the top of my sport motivates me greatly. I’m very close to becoming one of the top defenders in the country; I just need to stay persistent and not let outside factors get in the way of my goals. I’m very intrinsically motivated to become one of the best in my sport and will do whatever it takes to get there

Allie:I’m a big fan of reading and listening to podcasts! My favorite podcast is Finding Mastery by Michael Gervais. He interviews some amazing athletes and business people with such different and unique backgrounds. Worth the listen!

CHECK-IN NEXT TUESDAY FOR ANOTHER COVID-19 INSIGHT BLOG FROM OUR PRO BEACH ATHLETES.

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